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Playing Teacher
🎙️ What is a teacher, really?
And what’s it actually like inside a New York City school?
Welcome to Playing Teacher, where veteran educators Matt and Rob—with over 40 years of combined experience teaching in NYC—pull back the curtain on the myths, realities, and moments that make education unforgettable (for better or worse). From the mysterious teacher’s lounge to the myth of “summer off,” they explore what really happens when the classroom door closes.
This isn’t a shiny brochure version of school. It’s the real deal:
🧠Learning vs. schooling.
❤️ What kids actually carry with them.
🔥 How teachers and counselors survive systems built to burn them out.
And when we’re lucky enough to have her, we’re joined by Beanie—school counselor, educator, and recurring co-host—who brings powerful insight, grounded compassion, and the kind of perspective only someone who's worked both inside and around the classroom can offer.
đź‘Ą Guests range from teachers, students, and administrators to learning scientists, former kids (yes, really), and other unexpected voices from the world of education.
Whether you're in the classroom, supporting from the sidelines, or just trying to make sense of how we learn and why it matters—this is your hallway pass to the inside.
Playing Teacher
Episode 23: AI in the Classroom: Tool, Threat, or Teacher?
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Episode 23 of Playing Teacher tackles one of the biggest questions in education today: What happens when classrooms become dominated by screens, software, and artificial intelligence?
Robert, Matthew, and Brugge discuss the post-COVID explosion of digital learning tools, the unintended consequences of assessment platforms like iReady and IXL, and the growing concern that students are spending more time interacting with software than with teachers.
The conversation also dives into AI's rapidly expanding role in education, from writing assignments to personalized tutoring, and asks a critical question: If AI can complete many school tasks instantly, what should students actually be learning?
The episode argues that the solution isn't banning technology, but redesigning education around deeper thinking, real-world experiences, and human connection.
